-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KCW45jgFifTbEyLpwjeMG2i2ga3827ihNjJJlAD8Pu/d2rWdi9o9wmKuO6gyOkZm
 dC/VY1ZMi1xwzB8DwxwpUA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001202226-03-000008.txt : 20031121
<SEC-HEADER>0001202226-03-000008.hdr.sgml : 20031121
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031121174028
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001202226-03-000008
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031121
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031121

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DETTER GERALD L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001202226

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05046
		FILM NUMBER:		031019085

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CON-WAY TRANSPORTATION SERVICES INC
		STREET 2:		110 PARKLAND PLAZA
		CITY:			ANN ARBOR
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48103

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CNF INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000023675
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TRUCKING (NO LOCAL) [4213]
		IRS NUMBER:				941444798
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3240 HILLVIEW AVE
		CITY:			PALO ALTO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94304
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6504942900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1717 NW 21ST AVE
		CITY:			PORTLAND
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97209

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CNF TRANSPORTATION INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19970509

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CONSOLIDATED FREIGHTWAYS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
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<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
    <periodOfReport>2003-11-21</periodOfReport>
    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000023675</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CNF INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CNF</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001202226</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DETTER GERALD L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>110 PARKLAND PLAZA110 PARKLAND PLAZA</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ANN ARBOR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>48103</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>
  <nonDerivativeTable>
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      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-09-15</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <deemedExecutionDate>
          <value>2003-09-15</value>
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      <transactionCoding>
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      <transactionAmounts>
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          <transactionPricePerShare>
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          </transactionPricePerShare>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>A</value>
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      <postTransactionAmounts>
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      <transactionTimeliness>
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      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
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          </transactionShares>
          <transactionPricePerShare>
              <value>33.06</value>
          </transactionPricePerShare>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>D</value>
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          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
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      <transactionTimeliness>
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      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>3000.0000</value>
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionPricePerShare>
              <value>33.07</value>
          </transactionPricePerShare>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>D</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>82027.1172</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-11-21</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <deemedExecutionDate>
          <value>2003-11-21</value>
      </deemedExecutionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
      <value />
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>400.0000</value>
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionPricePerShare>
              <value>33.09</value>
          </transactionPricePerShare>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>D</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>81627.1172</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-11-21</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <deemedExecutionDate>
          <value>2003-11-21</value>
      </deemedExecutionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
      <value />
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>3000.0000</value>
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionPricePerShare>
              <value>33.1123</value>
          </transactionPricePerShare>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>D</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>78627.1172</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-11-21</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <deemedExecutionDate>
          <value>2003-11-21</value>
      </deemedExecutionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
      <value />
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>13026.0000</value>
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionPricePerShare>
              <value>18.05</value>
          </transactionPricePerShare>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>A</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>91653.1172</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>1556.2760</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>I</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <natureOfOwnership>
              <value>401(k) Plan</value>
          </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeHolding>
    <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>20.0000</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>I</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <natureOfOwnership>
              <value>By self for son</value>
          </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeHolding>
    <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>30.0000</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>I</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <natureOfOwnership>
              <value>By spouse for son</value>
          </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeHolding>
    <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock</value>
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      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>195.0000</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>I</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <natureOfOwnership>
              <value>By spouse with son</value>
          </natureOfOwnership>
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    <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>1100.0000</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>I</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <natureOfOwnership>
              <value>By trust</value>
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      <deemedExecutionDate>
          <value>2003-09-15</value>
      </deemedExecutionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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      <value />
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>0.1267</value>
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionPricePerShare>
              <value>0</value>
          </transactionPricePerShare>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>A</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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      <postTransactionAmounts>
          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>39.2139</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>I</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <natureOfOwnership>
              <value>Joint Tenancy</value>
          </natureOfOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
  </nonDerivativeTable>
  <derivativeTable>
   <derivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
          <value>Employee Stock Option Grant-Right to Buy</value>
              <footnoteId id="F2" />
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
          <value>18.0500</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
          <value>2003-11-21</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <deemedExecutionDate>
          <value>2003-11-21</value>
      </deemedExecutionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
          <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
          <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
          <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
          <transactionShares>
              <value>13026.0000</value>
          </transactionShares>
          <transactionPricePerShare>
              <value>18.05</value>
          </transactionPricePerShare>
          <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
              <value>D</value>
          </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
          <value>1997-07-01</value>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
          <value>2006-07-01</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
          <underlyingSecurityTitle>
              <value>Common Stock</value>
          </underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <underlyingSecurityShares>
              <value>13026.0000</value>
          </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
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          <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
              <value>0.0000</value>
          </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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      <ownershipNature>
          <directOrIndirectOwnership>
              <value>D</value>
          </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeTransaction>
  </derivativeTable>
<footnotes>
   <footnote id="F1">These shares were acquired in the thrid quarter of 2003 under the CNF dividend reinvestment plan.</footnote>
   <footnote id="F2">In addition the holdings on Table 1, 260.7730 shares of CNF Series B preferred stock and 30,055.6780 units of phantom stock are h
eld.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<remarks></remarks>    <ownerSignature>
       <signatureName>Eberhard G.H. Schmoller, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
       <signatureDate>2003-11-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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